Sexual Orientation and Suicide Ideation, Plans, Attempts, and Medically Serious Attempts: Evidence From Local Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, 2001–2009

Abstract

Regardless of sexual orientation measure used, most SMY subgroups had increased odds of all SROs. However, many factors are associated with SROs.

Type of sexual intercourse experience and suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts among youths: a cross-sectional study in South Korea

“…In adjusted analyses, males with same- or both-sex intercourse experiences were higher in SROs compared with males who had only experienced opposite-sex intercourse. Many studies have reported higher rates of SROs among gay males when compared to lesbian females [3, 18, 19]. Based on our study, we were able to confirm that violence is a risk factor for suicide among youths with same- or both-sex intercourse.…”

“…Variables that influence the suicidal behavior were depression and ever having had sexual intercourse as youths [2]. Media reports convey the message that lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) youths have much greater rates of suicide than non-LGB youths [3]. LGB youths experience stress and depression during the formation of their sexual identity.…”

“…They have been reported to demonstrate suicidal attempts 2–3 times more often than heterosexual youths [4, 5]. The prevalence of suicide in youths who engaged in a type of sexual intercourse (having had intercourse with the opposite-sex, same-sex, or both-sex intercourse) has been known to differ among races and countries [3]. To date, most studies on the outcomes for the risk of suicide as a result of sexual intercourse experience have been reported in western countries; very few studies have been done in Asian countries [6–8].…”

Suicide Ideation and Bullying Among US Adolescents: Examining the Intersections of Sexual Orientation, Gender, and Race/Ethnicity

“…2---5 Regardless of whether youths self-identify as LGB or report same-sex attraction or sexual contact, LGB youths have higher odds of reporting suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. 2,4,5 The strain of coping with the stigma of being a sexual minority in a society in which heterosexuality is normative is often referenced for explaining why LGB youths are at higher risk for suicide. 4,6 In fact, studies show that when youths attend schools with cultures that are more likely to stigmatize LGB youths, their mental health outcomes are even worse.…”

Sexual Orientation, Adult Connectedness, Substance Use, and Mental Health Outcomes Among Adolescents: Findings From the 2009 New York City Youth Risk Behavior Survey

“…2,3 The minority stress theory suggests that minority groups are disadvantaged in a number of ways, and certain stressors that do not have an impact on advantaged groups are burdensome to disadvantaged groups. 4 Research shows that LGB adolescents are more likely to use substances, 3,5–17 report suicide ideation, attempt suicide, 5–7,12,13,18–29 and be exposed to vio-lence and victimization 3,5,6,12,26,30–33 than are heterosexual adolescents.…”